Mark Weiner Joins Ketchum as Head of Research

NEW YORK, April 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Mark Weiner, former president of Delahaye, the world's largest provider of public relations research and consulting, has been appointed senior vice president/global director of Ketchum Research. David Rockland, Ph.D., who for the last six years has served in this capacity, has been promoted to managing director while also taking on responsibility for the further development of Ketchum's interactive capabilities.

"Decades ago, Ketchum embraced the need for research as an independent, objective and intrinsic full-time PR function," said Weiner. "I look forward to building upon the firm's solid legacy and to providing sound research and evaluation solutions that clearly generate and demonstrate a positive return on PR investment."

The author of "Unleashing the Power of PR" (John Wiley & Sons), Weiner brings to Ketchum a deep understanding of the marketing and communication professions. While leading Delahaye, he developed a number of proven PR-ROI models focused on quantifying and improving PR's ability to drive sales, enhance efficiency and avoid exorbitant cost. Weiner is an editorial advisory board member for the Public Relations Society of America's (PRSA) The Strategist and for PR News as well as a regular contributor to consumer, trade and business media. He is also a frequent speaker at national and local forums including The Conference Board, PRSA, IABC, The Institute for Public Relations, PRWeek, Bulldog Reporter, and The Association of National Advertisers on issues concerning communication, public relations, corporate reputation, and integrated marketing communications.

Ketchum Senior Partner and Chief Executive Officer Raymond L. Kotcher said: "With Mark and David running our research business, we believe we have one of the strongest -- if not 'the' strongest -- research offerings in public relations."

Under Rockland's leadership, Ketchum Research grew from a four-person department to 25 research professionals and evolved into a leader within large global public relations agency research departments. This global research network also includes an affiliation with an additional 50-plus media monitoring team in China. During his time at Ketchum, Rockland has championed a consistent approach to research at the agency, improving its integration into client assignments and raising its overall quality, content, and impact.

Rockland brings a wide range of experience to his new position. Among his former roles, he built and sold a public affairs company to Roper Starch Worldwide and served as the head of corporate communications for two global companies. Rockland will continue to use these skills in his expanded role as he incorporates Ketchum's interactive capabilities into a seamless integrated enterprise. He also will continue to serve as the chairman of the Institute for Public Relations' Commission on Measurement and Evaluation, of which Weiner is also a member and a past chairman.

About Ketchum

A communications innovator, Ketchum ranks among the largest global public relations agencies, operating in more than 50 countries. With five global practices - Brand Marketing, Corporate, Healthcare, Food and Nutrition, and Technology - and specialty areas that include Concentric Communications (experiential marketing, events and meetings), Ketchum Entertainment Marketing, Ketchum Global Research, Ketchum Sports Network, Stromberg Consulting (change management and workplace communications) and The Washington Group (lobbying and government relations), Ketchum leverages its marketing and corporate communications expertise to build brands and reputations for clients. For more information on Ketchum, a unit of Omnicom Group Inc. , visit http://www.ketchum.com/.

About Omnicom

Ketchum is a part of Omnicom Group Inc. (http://www.omnicomgroup.com/). Omnicom is a leading global advertising, marketing and corporate communications company. Omnicom's branded networks and numerous specialty firms provide advertising, strategic media planning and buying, digital and interactive, direct and promotional marketing, public relations, and other specialty communications services to over 5,000 clients in more than 100 countries.